The rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease due to an aging population is boosting demand for surgical procedures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2016, accounting for 31% of all fatalities globally.
For heart surgery, conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remains the most common type of bypass, but up to 10% of operations are now using miniaturised CPB (mCPB). Potential advantages include less time in intensive care, lower blood loss and reduced use of transfusions and certain drugs. Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has also been shown to offer similar benefits such as enhanced post-operative recovery.
